Chapter 195: A Wolf’s Bitter Realization (Celeste’s POV)
Chapter 195: A Wolf’s Bitter Realization (Celeste’s POV)
Half an hour after Scarlett’s dramatic exit, I returned to the private room at the Moon Silver
Restaurant. Only Lucas was there, pacing anxiously, his face tight with concern.
His golden eyes flashed when he saw me. “Where is Scarlett?” he demanded, voice sharp with
worry.
“How would I know? She left some time ago,” I replied coolly, maintaining my distance.
Lucas rushed toward me, his wolf bristling beneath his skin. “What did you say to her? She
was supposed to stay for the gathering!”
you do?”
I lifted my chin slightly. “Perhaps she had more important matters to attend to.”
“Don’t play games with me,” he growled, fists clenching at his sides. “What did
I shrugged, enjoying his frustration. “We had a conversation. Sister to sister.”
His nostrils flared with anger. I could almost see his wolf pacing behind his eyes. Then he
glanced at the clock and his expression changed, shifting from anger to urgency.
“It doesn’t matter now,” he said, straightening his jacket. “The guests have arrived for the
mate–selection banquet. You need to join them.”
I remained still, silently challenging him. My silver–scarred wolf lay quiet within me, waiting.
“Celeste, for once, consider your position,” Lucas said, his voice dropping lower. “These wolves represent your best chance at a future outside the Winter Pack.”
“Very well, I finally said, not because I agreed, but because I wanted to see what he had planned. I was tired of being manipulated, but sometimes playing along revealed more than
resistance.
Lucas nodded, visibly relieved. “Good. I’ll join you shortly. There’s something I need to arrange
first.”
As I left the room, Alexander caught my elbow in the hallway. His grip was firm but not painful. His ice–blue eyes were sharp and clear – completely different from his supposedly
drunken state earlier.
–
“What did you say to Scarlett?” he asked, his voice low enough that only I could hear.
“Nothing she didn’t already fear,” I replied honestly, watching his reaction.
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Chapter 195: A Wolf’s Bitter Real…
His grip tightened slightly. “She left in tears, refusing to tell me why.”
I smiled, feeling a small thrill of satisfaction. “Perhaps she needed time to think about your… mistaken identity theory.”
Alexander’s white wolf surged beneath his skin. I could feel its power radiating from him.
“What exactly did you tell her?”
I met his gaze unflinchingly. “Why don’t you guess?”
His jaw clenched, the muscle twitching beneath his skin, but footsteps approaching forced him to release me. A server passed by, bowing respectfully to Alexander.
“This isn’t over,” Alexander muttered once the server had passed.
“It never is with us, is it?” I replied before heading downstairs toward the gathering.
The main floor was beautifully decorated for the mate–selection banquet. Crystal chandeliers
cast warm light over elegantly set tables. At least thirty wolves had assembled, and at first, I
was impressed that Lucas had gathered so many guests on such short notice.
But as I looked closer, examining each face, my heart sank like a stone. These weren’t prestigious heirs at all.
–
Jason Moore stood near the refreshments, already on his third glass of moon–blessed wine
the notorious troublemaker son of the Alpha King’s advisor. Beside him was Eric Reynolds, who had nearly killed me with silver as a child and then falsely accused me of attacking him.
Every face I recognized belonged to pack troublemakers or subordinates from lesser families.
Not one legitimate heir from a respectable bloodline was present.
The truth hit me like a physical blow. This wasn’t an oversight or the best Lucas could arrange. He had done this deliberately.
Cold realization washed over me. This was what they thought I deserved – not a respectable match, but whatever wolf would have me, regardless of character or reputation.
After fourteen years as their daughter, after claiming to love me as their own, this was how little they valued me. The thought was colder than any silver chain that had burned my flesh in
Moon Shadow Prison.
I turned to leave, refusing to participate in this farce, when something caught my eye.
That’s when I spotted Matthew, dressed as a server, carrying drinks between tables. His powerful warrior frame looked almost comical in the waiter’s uniform, yet he performed his task with the same dedication he brought to combat training.
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Chapter 195: A Wolf’s Bitter Real…
A genuine smile tugged at my lips, surprising even myself. There was something endearing about seeing the powerful warrior performing such mundane tasks with absolute seriousness. His face was set in concentration as he balanced the tray, as if he were executing a complex.
battle maneuver instead of serving drinks.
“Something amusing?” Alexander asked, suddenly beside me again.
I nodded toward Matthew. “Your second–in–command seems to have found a new calling.”
Alexander studied my face carefully, his expression growing troubled as he realized I wasn’t embarrassed or disgusted by Matthew’s position, but rather impressed by his dedication to
whatever task he undertook.
(Lucas’s POV)
I watched from across the room as Celeste spotted Matthew. Instead of embarrassment or
disdain, her face softened into a genuine smile – one I hadn’t seen in years, not directed at
anyone in our pack.
My wolf bristled under my skin. This needed to be stopped before it grew stronger. Matthew
Sterling was not the match I had in mind for Celeste. He lacked the status, the connections I
needed to secure Celeste’s future away from our pack.
I nodded to Eric Reynolds, who was waiting for my signal. He positioned himself in Matthew’s
path as the warrior carried a tray of appetizers through the crowd.
“Hey, waiter!” Eric called loudly, drawing attention.
Matthew turned, his face carefully neutral, though I could see recognition flash in his eyes. He
knew exactly who Eric was and what had happened between them as children.
Without warning, Eric deliberately knocked into Matthew’s tray. Food went flying, splattering
across Matthew’s uniform and onto the floor.
All conversation stopped as everyone turned to watch the scene unfold. I saw Celeste stiffen,
her violet eyes widening with realization.
Perfect. Let her see him humiliated. Let her understand that any alliance with him would only
bring her down further. Let her learn that I knew what was best for her future.
(Celeste’s POV)
Eric immediately began shouting as if Matthew had bumped into him. “How dare you!” he shouted, his voice carrying throughout the room. “Clumsy fool! Look what you’ve done to my clothes!”
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Chapter 195: A Wolf’s Bitter Real…
Matthew stood perfectly still, his face a mask that barely contained his emotions. “I apologize,
sir. Let me help clean this up.”
“You think a simple apology is enough?” Eric sneered. “Do you have any idea who I am?”
The restaurant manager rushed over, panic evident in his hurried steps. His name tag read “Frank Wilson.” I recognized him as a beta wolf who had built this restaurant from nothing, catering to elite wolves with exceptional service.
“My deepest apologies, Mr. Reynolds!” Frank exclaimed, bowing repeatedly. “This waiter is new. Very inexperienced. Please forgive this incident.”
He shot Matthew a pleading look that spoke volumes.
“Alpha Heir Lucas personally recommended we give him this opportunity,” Frank added, trying
to deflect some of Eric’s anger.
My eyes narrowed as the pieces fell into place. So Lucas had arranged this whole thing. It wasn’t just a gathering to find me a suitable mate; it was another calculated humiliation for anyone who dared show interest in me.
“I don’t care who recommended him,” Eric sneered, glancing briefly in Lucas’s direction. “He
needs to learn his place.”
“Of course, sir. He’ll clean this immediately,” the manager promised, gesturing frantically for other staff to bring cleaning supplies.
“That’s not enough,” Eric declared with a cruel smile that reminded me of the child who had
once held silver to my skin. “I want him to eat it.”
Murmurs rippled through the crowd as guests exchanged uncomfortable glances.
“Eat what, sir?” Frank asked, his voice shaking slightly.
Eric pointed to the floor where the food lay scattered. “That. Let him eat it off the floor. Then perhaps I’ll forgive him.”
I felt sick to my stomach. This was beyond a simple power play – it was cruel, designed to
break Matthew’s spirit and humiliate him in front of everyone.
Matthew remained composed, but I could see the tension in his body. His wolf was fighting
against the natural instinct to fight back, to defend his pride.
The other guests watched, fascinated but uncomfortable. None dared to intervene against
Eric, especially with Lucas clearly backing him.
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Chapter 195: A Wolf’s Bitter Real…
Frank looked desperate. “Please, Mr. Reynolds. I’ll take full responsibility. If someone must…
eat the food… let it be me.”
To my horror, the manager began to kneel, ready to sacrifice his own dignity to protect his
business and his employee.
Matthew stopped him with a firm hand on his shoulder. “No,” he said quietly. “This is my
responsibility.”
The look between them spoke volumes. Frank had shown Matthew kindness – perhaps letting
him use the kitchen after hours to learn cooking. Now Matthew wouldn’t let the older wolf
suffer for him.
With reluctance but resolve, Matthew turned toward the spilled food. He reached toward the
floor, burying his warrior’s pride deeper than I thought possible.
I couldn’t bear it. Before I could think about the consequences, I pushed through the crowd and
reached him just as his fingers neared the soiled food.
I grabbed his arm, stopping him. “Don’t.”
Matthew looked up, startled, and met my gaze.
